alkaptonuria

alkaptonuria

[al-kap″to-nu´re-ah]

an autosomal recessive aminoacidopathy characterized by accumulation of homogentisic acid. It is manifested by elevated concentrations of homogentisic acid in the urine (which darkens on standing or with alkalinization), a peculiar discoloration of body tissues known as ochronosis, and arthritis.

al·cap·ton·u·ri·a

, alkaptonuria (al-kap-ton-yū'rē-ă), [MIM*203500]

Excretion of homogentisic acid (alkapton) in the urine resulting from congenital lack of the enzyme homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase, which mediates an essential step in the catabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine; urine turns dark if it is allowed to stand or is alkalinized (a result of formation of polymerization products of homogentisic acid); frequently occurs throughout relatively long periods or may appear at irregular intervals; arthritis and ochronosis are late complications; autosomal recessive inheritance; caused by mutation in the homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase gene (HGD) on chromosome 3q.

[alkapton + G. ouron, urine]

alkaptonuria

/al·kap·ton·uria/ (al-kap″to-nu´re-ah) an autosomal recessive aminoacidopathy with accumulation of homogentisic acid in urine (causing urine to darken on standing), ochronosis, and arthritis.alkaptonu´ric

alkaptonuria

or

alcaptonuria

(ăl-kăp′tə-no͝or′ē-ə)

n.

An inherited disorder that affects phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism and leads to the excretion of homogentisic acid in the urine.

alkaptonuria

[alkap′tōnoo͡r′ē·ə]

Etymology: Ar, al + galiy + Gk, haptein to possess, ouron urine

a rare inherited disorder marked by the excretion of large amounts of homogentisic acid in the urine, which is the result of the incomplete metabolism of the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine. The presence of the acid is indicated by darkening of urine when exposed to air or by brown or blue discoloration of the ears or eyes. Other indications are restricted joint mobility, kidney stones, and vascular hypertension. See also ochronosis. alkaptonuric,adj.

Alkaptonuria

alkaptonuria

Black pain disease, black urine disease, alcaptonuria, alcaptonuric ochronosis An AR defect in tyrosine and phenylalanine metabolism, more common in ♂, due to homogentisic acid oxidase–HAO deficiency; metabolic pathway of phenylalanine and tyrosine → ring opening of homogentisic acid → malylacetoacetic acid; alkaptonuria is first recognized by the mother who cannot clean the children's diaper as the urine oxidizes to a pitch black color upon exposure to air Clinical Arthritis due to homogentisic acid deposition in cartilage, tendons, as well as in the sclera, viscera, skin; when severe, pigment deposition can compromise cardiac, renal, or pulmonary function, and spill into the urine as a melanin-like substance. Cf Blue diaper syndrome.

al·cap·to·nu·ri·a

, alkaptonuria (al-kap'tŏ-nyūr'ē-ă)

Excretion of homogentisic acid (alkapton) in the urine due to congenital lack of the enzyme homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase; urine turns dark if allowed to stand; may recur and subside at irregular intervals; arthritis and ochronosis are late complications.

[alkapton + G. ouron, urine]

alkaptonuria

A genetic disease in which a gene mutation on chromosome 3 results in a defective enzyme that leads to the accumulation of a coloured polymer molecule homogentisic acid. This binds to the COLLAGEN of cartilage, making it brittle and easily worn away. The result is a form of OSTEOARTHRITIS. In alkaptonuria, the urine turns black on exposure to light or alkali.

alkaptonuria

alkaptonuria

A rare, hereditary, metabolic disorder characterized by dark urine. It is caused by mutation in the homogentisate 1, 2-dioxygenase gene (HGD), which produces an error in the metabolism of the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine, which normally break down by oxidation to homogentisic acid. However, in this condition homogentisic acid is not broken down but stored in tissues, especially cartilage, which it turns bluish-black, and excreted in the urine. Ocular signs are pigmentation of the sclera, most markedly near the insertions of the recti muscles, and of the cornea and conjunctiva.

alcaptonuria, alkaptonuria

excretion in the urine of homogentisic acid and its oxidation products as a result of a genetic disorder of phenylalanine-tyrosine metabolism in humans and orang-utans.

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